26 Introduction to Botany. 



which the seed may be lying in the soil, or of the time or 

 place of its germination. 



Fig. 9. 



Seedlings of Indian corn, beans, and peas grown in moist sawdust in a pan 17 

 inches in diameter, which was kept revolving at the rate of 185 revolutions per 

 minute. The seeds were planted beneath the surface, and the seedlings have 

 been uncovered for the photograph. 



14. Roots the First to Grow. — It has been noticed that the 

 root first grows out and becomes established in close con- 

 nection with the soil before the other parts of the embryo 

 emerge above the surface. This insures that the seedling 

 may not easily be dislodged from its position, and that the 

 parts which are soon to be exposed to the drying influence 

 of sun and winds may continually be supplied with water 

 from the soil. 



If a seedling is removed with care from a sandy loam, 

 the soil will be found adhering to the roots in large, loose 

 masses, and when the soil is carefully washed away in 

 water, it will be seen to have been bound together by 

 means of numerous fine hairs growing from the roots. It 



